Tim was waiting for me at the gate to the parking lot, and he walked me back to my truck.

“I’ve got to get a couple of quick things done for Dad, then get home, clean up, and pick up this extremely pretty lady I’m taking out tonight,” he said, then he kissed me. “I’ll see you around 6:30?”

“Uhmm...yeah, that works. I’ll send my other boyfriend home, and then wait for you.” I said, looking innocent and sweet.

He nodded, not really paying attention to what I said, just as I suspected. I smiled at his reaction when he suddenly figured out what I was saying. He looked at me and blushed, then he smiled and shook his head. “All right, I apologize.” He kissed me again, and then stepped around to his car, which he’d parked a couple of spots away from mine. I left the lot and turned left, he pulled out behind me and turned right.

I was trying to decide just what I was going to wear tonight. I had bought a black skirt, a little longer than a true mini, but still above the knees. I wasn’t sure what I should wear with it, though. It was supposed to be a bit cool tonight, so I decided to wear black tights with my black leather boots, and I was thinking of wearing a dark gray silk long sleeve blouse. My necklace and amulet would go well with that, and my gold hoops and my watch would be adequate jewelry. I could wear Mom's black shawl, if that was all right with her.

I got home and went to my room, dropped off my bag and took a bath. Once I had taken care of everything in the tub and I was smooth and silky, I dressed in my black lacy lingerie and brushed out my hair. I dressed and finished my makeup, but something seemed to be wrong, and I couldn’t think of what it was.

I went back out to the living room, and Grandma stopped me. “Emily, would you let me do something with your hair? It’s pretty as it is, but you need a little bit more, if that’s okay?”

“I can see it’s missing something, so go ahead, Grandma.”

She pulled my hair up into a bun and it was exactly what I needed, something to kind of “glam” it up a bit. We had a quick snack of tea and some small cookies, and I was just getting things cleaned up when Mom and Dad came in.

“Emily, you look even more beautiful tonight,” Dad said. Mom took a critical look and pronounced me perfect. They went in to get ready for their night out. Dad had invited Grandma to go with them as a surprise, so she went to get ready also. A few minutes before 6:30, I heard the sound of Tim’s Trans Am. Dad and Mom both came out and we talked for a few minutes, then Tim and I left for my surprise date.

“Okay, so now can you tell me where we are going?” I asked as I got into his car.

“Oh, let’s not spoil the surprise just yet.” He said. He looked quite nice in some beige Dockers and a white turtleneck with a brown herringbone print jacket, complete with leather patches on the elbows. The jacket was nice, but it made him look older somehow.

“I really wasn’t sure, but I asked my Dad for suggestions. He thought his old jacket would look good, but I’m not sure. I think it might be too, umm, old for me, what do you think?”

“Well, on first glance I’d say you need some glasses and a pipe, but really, it doesn’t look bad, Professor,” I giggled. “Just kidding, Tim. I think you look quite nice.”

He chuckled. “The really funny thing is, that was exactly what I first thought. You though, you look simply mahvelous, Dahling.” We both laughed at his attempt at a Billy Crystal impression. “Seriously, you are, as always, very beautiful. I am surprised you’d be out with a schlump like me!”

I got a little miffed at that. “Timothy Davies, you stop that! I won’t have you putting yourself down like that. I’m quite proud to be out with you, and if you put yourself down, then what does that say about me?”

He looked at me surprised at my vehemence.

I smiled, then leaned over and took his hand. “You are absolutely wonderful, Tim, and I’m completely serious. You are nice, polite, funny and very good looking. If I was to place an order for the perfect guy, I’d be pretty close to a guy just like you, and that’s the truth!”

“I’m sorry, Emily,” He said with a smile. “You are wonderful, sexy, intelligent and friendly, and I’m just blown away by how perfect it seems you are for me. I guess it takes my breath away a little.”

I blushed, shyly, but smiled happily.

“There’s only one thing that would make you better, Emily.”

“Oh?” I asked.

“Yeah.” He pulled into a parking lot. “Can ya' sing?”

It was then that I saw where we were.

“Oh, my G...Piper’s Pizza?” Piper’s karaoke night was a legend in our area, although I had never been there.

It was then that I realized what was happening tonight. Piper’s had been advertising an Oldies themed karaoke night. I laughed.

“I’ve never actually tried karaoke before, but yeah, I’m willing!” I said with a smile.

“We draw a song and a number, and when they call our number, we’re up! I was thinking that if you draw the number, I’ll draw the song.”

“Okay, it sounds like fun!” We went into the building, and as soon as you went in there were two large baskets. Each choice was in a small plastic ball that split apart and we made our picks and sat down at a table. A waitress came by and took our order, and then we opened up our choices.

“I’ve got number 11,” I said with a smile, and then Tim opened his.

“This shouldn’t be too bad,” he said. “It’s an old one by the Police, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.”

It was almost too funny, considering my situation. I couldn’t tell Tim why I was laughing so hard, though. The moderator, Mr Piper himself, told everyone to relax-this was for fun, so if you made a mistake, just keep going, and enjoy ourselves.

“I guess we should have asked where you were going.” I heard from behind me. We laughed when we saw my parents and my Grandma. Tim asked what number they had, as they sat down at the table next to ours.

“We’re number 8,” Mom said.

“Whew, now I won’t feel so bad!” I said. “We’re up for number 11.”

“What song are you doing?” My dad asked.

Tim told him, and Mom, Grandma and I started laughing. Dad knew what was so funny, and he explained to Tim that it was an old family joke. Their song was “Jackson,” a song by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Grandma decided not to sing, but she was perfectly willing to go along with a little joke I made when Mom and Dad finally got up to sing.

We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper spout
We been talkin’ bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out
I’m going to Jackson, I’m gonna mess around,
Yeah I’m going to Jackson,
Look out Jackson town.

Well, go on down to Jackson; Go ahead and wreck your health
Go play your hand you big talkin’ man, make a big fool of yourself
Your going to Jackson; go comb your hair
Honey, I’m gonna snowball Jackson
See if I care.

When I breeze into that city people gonna stoop and bow (Hah!)
All them women gonna make me; Teach ‘em what they don’t know how
I’m going to Jackson, you turn-a loose-a my coat.
‘Cos I’m goin’ to Jackson.
“Goodbye,” that’s all she wrote.

But they’ll laugh at you in Jackson, and I’ll be dancin’ on a pony keg.
They’ll lead you round town like a scalded dog
With your tail tucked between your legs,
You’re goin’ to Jackson, you big-talkin’ man
And I’ll be waitin’ in Jackson, behind my Jaypan fan.

Well now we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper Sprout.
We be talkin’ ‘bout Jackson; ever since the fire went out.
I’m going to Jackson, and that’s a fact.
Yeah, we’re going to Jackson, ain’t never comin’ back.

We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper Sprout.
We been talkin’ ‘bout Jackson; ever since the fire went out...

To Fade

"Jackson"
(Billy Ed Wheeler-Jerry Lieber/Gaby Rodgers)
Originally Recorded 1963

As Mom and Dad took a bow, Grandma, Tim and I held up paper plates. Grandma’s read 9.0, Tim’s said 10.0, and mine said 9.5. Mom came up and jokingly hit Grandma’s shoulder.

“What’s with the 9.0, Mom?”

“Russian judge, leave me alone.” She said, and we all laughed.

Very soon Tim and I heard our number being called, and we made our way up to the stage. I heard several wolf whistles, but I ignored them. We waited until our cue, then gave it our best shot.

Though I’ve tried before to tell her
Of the feelings I have for her in my heart
Every time that I come near her
I just lose my nerve as I’ve done from the start

(chorus)
Every little thing she does is magic
Every thing she do just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on

Do I have to tell the story
Of a thousand rainy days since we first met?
It’s a big enough umbrella
But it’s always me that ends up getting wet

(chorus)

I resolved to call her up
A thousand times a day
Ask her if she’ll marry me
In some old fashioned way

But my silent fears have gripped me
Long before I reach the phone
Long before my tongue has tripped me
Must I always be alone?

(chorus)

(chorus)

Every little thing every little thing
Every little thing every little thing
Every little thing every little thing
Every little thing she does

Every little thing she does
Every little thing she does
Every little thing she does
Everything she does is magic

Every little thing every little thing
Every little thing she does is magic
Magic magic magic magic magic

Do I have to tell the story
Of a thousand rainy days since we first met
It’s a big enough umbrella
But it’s always me that ends up getting wet.

"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"
(Sting)
Originally recorded 1981

We took our bows, and, of course, my loving family had to make their comments. Grandma scored us at a perfect 10.0, but Mom and Dad both gave us 7.5’s! I confronted them, and Mom apologized.

“Sorry, sweetheart, but it really...umm...how can I say this...”

“I shouldn’t plan on competing with Sarah Carrera?”

Dad had to put in his two cents worth. “Honey, if I was you, I wouldn’t try to compete with Porsche Carrera!”

I looked at Tim. “It’s so nice to be so loved, isn’t it?” I said as everyone laughed.